Hull KR forced into changes as three drop out amid fresh four-week injury confirmation

Hull KR have confirmed a significant injury blow to one of their stars as several players drop out of their squad named to face Catalans Dragons on their return to Super League.

The Robins will host Catalans on Friday night in what head coach Willie Peters has claimed could be the biggest crowd of the season and the Australian will be very keen his side can back up after their Challenge Cup win.

A performance to forget, Hull KR got the job done and they now need to take that same approach into Friday night but they’ll be without some key players.

Micky McIlorum was a risk heading into the Challenge Cup Final and it’s been confirmed that he will continue his rehab with the hooker set for another three weeks out, however, Peters confirmed another veteran played injured.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has not been named in the club’s 21-man squad to face Catalans and speaking to the press ahead of the team reveal, Peters explained why.

On the Kiwi forward, Peters said: “Going into the game, he shouldn’t have played. He had a calf issue. So it’s a four-week injury for him. He shouldn’t have played.”

Hull KR team news as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves injury confirmed

JWH managed to get through the game just like McIlorum and Peters praised the pair, confirming that they won’t play for a while before noting another injury issue.

Peters explained: “It was so courageous what those guys did. People that knew about Mick but obviously with Jared, there was risk involved but the players that they are, whilst most probably couldn’t get through, we knew they were a big chance of getting through because they can handle certain things that others can’t.

“Those two won’t play for a little bit. Joe Burgess, we’ve got some good news on him as he’ll only be a week and hopefully be back next week.”

Burgess has missed time already this season and he drops out once again with Noah Booth a possible candidate to replace him, whilst Bill Leyland comes back into the frame to cover McIlorum.

Waerea-Hargreaves missed the two matches prior to the Challenge Cup Final through suspension so the likes of Eribe Doro, who is named in the 21-man squad, could get a greater chance at minutes. Arthur Mourgue also returns after being cup-tied with the Frenchman set to face his former club.

Hull KR 21-man squad: Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Broadbent, Danny Richardson, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Brown, Eribe Doro, Bill Leyland, Leon Ruan, Harvey Horne, Arthur Mourgue, Noah Booth

Straight back into @SuperLeague action 💥#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/6Vq75fDvNF

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) June 11, 2025

Catalans Dragons team news

As for Catalans, Joel Tomkins takes charge of his third straight game after Steve McNamara’s sacking and he’ll be hoping his side can catch out a Hull KR side possibly suffering a Challenge Cup hangover.

Sam Tomkins returns which is a major boost whilst several others are back including Tevita Pangai Jr, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Bayley Sironen and Léo Darrélatour.

Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: Sam Tomkins, Tommy Makinson, Arthur Romano, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Tevita Pangai Jr, Benjamin Garcia, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Oliver Partington, Alrix Da Costa, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Bayley Sironen, Cesar Rouge, Theo Fages, Matthieu Laguerree, Franck Maria, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet